Anchor and davit



ANCHOR AND DAVIT Filed D60. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I3 Y |2 9 INVENTOR l", v HAROLD FRENCK AI! 11 HAROLD FRENCK 7 BY April 12, 1960 H; FRENCK v 2,932,273

ANCHOR AND DAVIT Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'G NVENTOR April 12, 1960 H. FRENCK ANCHOR AND DAVIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 HAROLD FFiENfIK 5* INVENTOR April 12, 1960 I FRENCK 2,932,273

ANCHOR AND DAVIT I Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR HAROLD F RENCK ANCHOR AND DAVIT Harold Franck, Syracuse, NY.

Application December 16, 1955, Serial No. 553,652

Claims. (Cl. 114-210) This invention relates to boat anchors and davits and is particularly concerned with means for launching and retracting an anchor without undue strain and in such manner as to protect the boat surface from damage resulting from contact of the anchor therewith. While certain aspects of the present inventive concept may be generally applicable irrespective of the present features of remote control and automatic orientation of the anchor to, as well as securement of the anchor in, the davit, these later features form important characteristics of the invention and its mode of operation.

The ancient and accepted method of casting an anchor whether by winch or by hand invariably involved the bodily lifting of the anchor from the deck or its securing davit by exertion of a force fully equal to or exceeding the weight of the anchor. While such exertion presented few problems with ships equipped with power winches or 'capstans, considerable strain may be involved with respect to small boats without such equipment. The same is true in Weighing the anchor for its return to the deck or davit. While the invention is, therefore, primarily directed to the alleviation of anchor problems of relatively small craft, certain features are equally applicable to ships of substantial tonnage. Not only does the conventional procedure and equipment require a substantially vertical force as indicated, but such force is to be applied directly to the anchor ring or ring bolt, hence in manual operations the operator must climb forward on the small craft deck to the location of the anchor in order to either cast or weigh the same. Remote control without power equipment has therefore been a problem. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that other and numerous difficulties are inherent in the anchoring and casting off of ships and small craft as, for instance: the protection of the decks and gunwales from damage due to impact or abrasion of the anchor therewith, the application of lifting force to the cable sufficiently outboard to avoid cable burning or scarring of the craft, the orientation of the anchor for proper securement on the deck, davit or securing means, as well as appropriate retention against inadvertent dislodgement from its inoperative position.

It is therefore among the broad and general objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved combination and interrelation of parts so constructed and arranged as to facilitate the casting, weighing and/ or securement of the anchors of ships and small craft.

tion to provide means for casting or weighing an anchor Without requiring direct application of vertical force equal to or exceeding the Weightof the anchor.

Another object is to provide a structure conveniently operable from a remote location, without necessitating intervening power means, for casting, weighing and/or securing an anchor.

A further object is the provision 'ofreacting elements such that an anchor will, as an incidentto the lifting atent C inc . 2 ceiving device precluding the necessity for separate and individual manipulations for that purpose.

It is also an object to provide a simple effective and efiicient anchor davit of the character set forth by which the anchor may be lowered and retracted from an out-' board position free ofthe craft thus avoiding danger of injury to the craft due to impact or frictional contact therewith.

In carrying out the foregoing, another important objective has been attained, namely, the provision .of a simple structure of rugged and durable design admirably suited to the demands of economic manufacture.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction tion of Figure 3 the anchor being omitted.

More specifically it is among the objects of the inven- 6 Figure 6 is a transverse section showing the pivotal mounting of the anchor flukes on the lower end of the anchor shank.

Figure 7 is a view partly in longitudinal section of the fluke to shank mounting.

Figure 8 is an end elevation showing the approach of the anchor ring to the davit whereby at least partial orientation is accomplished, and

Figure '9 is a development of Figure 8 illustrating the completed orientation.

Before proceeding to a detailed discussion of the specific structure of that particular form of the invention here presented by way of example, it may be stated that as here shown the invention may be generally characterized, Without reference to detail, as including a pivoted davit comprising a relatively fixed base adapted to be suitably secured to a boat deck so as to protrude over the edge. The base may be mounted on the deck in alignment with the beam to extend from the bow. At the forward or protruding end of the base an anchor receiving and cable guiding davit' plate is pivotally mounted for movement from an inboard position resting on the base in slightly downwardly and rearwardly inclined position, to a fully out-board position, slightly up Wardly and outwardly inclined with respect to the base. At the free end of the davit plate a grommet bore is formed to receive the'anchor rope or cable and adjacent thereto there is provided a pair of spaced anchor eye guide and retainer flanges disposed'in inclined or condavit plate wings, may be caused to complete the orientation. The completion of such orientation takes place as the davit plate is rocked toward the vertical position whilethe anchor depends vertically, thereby bringing a thereof, be automatically oriented and aligned with a refluke or the fiukes into engagement with the plate wings. The anchor itself, while of overall generally conventional design, is appropriately dimensioned and balanced for such cooperation with the fixture comprising the 3 davit base and plate so as to carry out the operation hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral designates the, bow of a boat to which the present invention may be.

affixed in any desired manner. While the device ishere: shown as mounted. on the deck 11 aligned with the. beam of the craft and thus protruding forwardly of the how, any other location as may be found suitable to any particular craft may be employed.

The device comprises a davit including a fixed. base and pivotally mounted davit plate for use with an anchor suitably modified for cooperation therewith and secured by an anchor cable, C, running through the davit plate; The base 12 of the davit comprises a generally elongated flat body of rectangular form having at its inboard end a vertically upstanding thick flange or boss 13 upon which the pivotally mounted davit plate 14 rests when the anchor is in retracted inoperative position as shown in Figures 1 and4. The boss 13 is formed on its upper surface 16 with a transverse recess 17 adapted to accommodate a central longitudinal strength-rib 18 on the under side of the plate 14, when the plate is disposed over the base and supported by the boss. A similar rib 19 is formed on the upper face of the base 12. While the base may be mounted in any desired manner, it is here shown as secured to the deck by screws 20 passing through suitably arranged apertures therein.

For pivotally mounting the plate 14- the base 12 is formed with a pair of spaced upstanding bearing cars 21 located just forwardly of the bow. of the boat and inwardly'of a forward extension 22 of the base which acts as an anchor stop as well as a support for the plate when in out-board position. The upper inclined surface 23 of the extension 22 will receive the central portion of the inner winged end of the plate tosupport the same in a slightly upwardly tilted position as shown in Figure 3. The forward surface 24 of the extension 22 will be contacted by one of the anchor horns as the anchor moves toward a vertical position preparatory to leaving its mounting on the plate.

The davit plate 14 comprises an elongated flat body of somewhat T formation. Projecting from its under surface 25 are spaced bearing ears 26 which together with a pintle 27 mount the plate for pivotal movement on the base in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The pivoted end of the plate is provided with outwardly extending side wings 28 constituting the arms of the T formation. Centrally, between the wings 28 the plate is cut away as at 29 to clear the ears 21 of the base and thus permit free pivotal motion.

At the opposite free end of the plate 14 a grommet bore 39 is formed through which is trained the anchor rope or cable C. Extending longitudinally of the leg of the T-shaped plate there is provided a pair of upstanding guide and retention flanges 31 and 32. These flanges are disposed in planes converging towards the pivoted end of the plate. The flange spacing at the ends nearest the pivot are only sufficient to receive the central body portion of the anchor shank therebetween. The vertical ends 132 of the flanges may be parallel and uniformly distant from the pivot 27. The flange 31 is longer than the flange 32. to provide an edge 33 farther from the pivot 27 than the edge 34 of flange'32. Both of such edges 33 and 34 rise from the plate 14 adjacent the grommet base 30. As will hereinafter be discussed, this arrange-' ment is such that should the anchor eye, when drawn upward, lie transversely of the flanges was to prevent the eye from entering the space betweenthe flanges, the flank of the anchor eye will engage theedge 33 and cause the anchor to turn initially, as indicated 'in-Figure 8. The anchor havingrbeen given a rotational twist may, by inertia, turn sufliciently to complete the orientation of the eye so as to slide between the flanges. 'If not, as the davit plate is raised toward the vertical, one or the other of the anchor flukes 44 engage the wingportions 28 of the plate, and cause the anchor to complete its rotation and orientation, such that the eye may enter the space between the flanges 31 and 32 and thus discontinue riding upon the edges 33 and 34.

The anchor of the present invention which combines and cooperates with the davit structure hereinbefore described, while generally conventional, is characterized by specific modification of form and balance to render it particularly adapted to constitute an element of the anchor-davit combination forming one phase of the present invention concept. However, the anchor alone as well as the davit alone is deemed to constitute a patentable sub-combination of the total assembly. The anchor shank 35 is tapered in transverse section to increased thickness at both ends to form a thickened eye ring 36 and a similarly enlarged fluke head 38. The tapering of the eye end of the shank is such as to substantially conform with the converging relationship of the flanges 31 and 32, the spacing between the flanges at the ends 132 being the thickness of the shank as at 35 at the commencement of the enlarging tapered eyev end 36 of the shank. The tapered end may thus lie between said flanges, when positioned as shown in Figure 4, and thereby be locked against displacement in an outboard direction. At the proper extremity of the shank the head 36 is cut away to provide a groove 37 for the bight of the anchor cable C so that the bight may be within the confines of the projection of the side walls of the shank head so as to minimize wear of such cable. The formation of the groove 37 also provides shoulders 39 which co-act with the edges 33 and 34 when the anchor requires initial orientation during the lifting thereof, as previously set forth.

At its lower end, the fluke head 38 is received within an oppositely tapered fluke opening 40, thus freely supporting the fluke 41 for pivotal movement on the head 38. Transversely extending on either side of the central body of the fluke surrounding the opening 40 are anchor horns 43. With respect to anchorage, the horns are designed to engage the sea floor beneath the boat to tilt the flukes 44 toward engaging penetration. However such horns also provide an appropriate means of weighting the anchor so as to dispose its center of gravity so close to but just inside the pivotal point of the plate so that very little lifting tension is required to tilt the plate upward in an inclined position to move the anchor center of gravity past vertical dead center, after which the weight of the anchor will induce the plate to complete its forward movement to the position of Figures 3 and 4 releasing the anchor for lowering at such outboard position free from danger of marring the gunwales. As hereinbefore mentioned, in the manipulation of the anchor the inner horn may strike the outer face 24 of the base. For this purpose at least the upper faces of the horns are slanted as at 45 so that such striking will have a helpful camming action. The fluke is releasably precluded from dislodgement from the head 38 by a transversely extending cotter pin 46 extending across an anchor pro truding rim 47 formed below the fluke opening.

In operation, assuming the anchor to be in the inboard position of Figure 1 and resting upon the plate 14, though the anchor shank is horizontal, the plate is slightly inwardly and downwardly inclined so as to resist inadvertent pivotal movement in response to the motion of the boat. The free end of the cable may be lashed to a cleat at a distance so as to further hold the davit and anchor in such position. In such position it is to be noted that the anchor head 36 is locked against release by movement outboard, by the flanges 31 and 32 converging upon the small end of the taper of the shank. Inadvertent tilting of the plate is also precluded by the location of the center of gravity of the anchor, inboard of the axis of pivotal movement of the plate.

When it is desired to cast the anchor, neither bodily lifting of its full weight nor the immediate presence of the operator is required. By an upward flip of the cable C, which may be accomplished bymanipulation from the cockpit or even the stern of small craft the plate and anchor combination may be rocked sufliciently to move the center of gravity over dead center to the position approaching Figure 2, where it passes dead center and moves through a vertical position to that of Figure 3 or 5. The weight of the anchor straining against the cable C passing through the bore 30 will of course move the plate to the fully extended position of Figure 3 whereby the anchor is suspended outwardly of the boat with its eye free of the convergence of flanges 31 and 32. In this position the anchor is free from contact with the boat sides and it may be lowered by paying out the cable C through the grommet bore 30.

The remote location of the operator in casting (the anchor need not be altered for weighing the anchor and returning it to deck location, resting on and secured 'by the davit plate 14. With the plate in the fully extended position of Figure 3, inward hauling-of the cable C ina line within something less than 45degrees with respect to. the plane of the plate will permit the cable to pass through the grommet bore 30 without tilting the plate. The anchor may thus be raised in a vertical path of travel coincident with the bore and free from danger of striking the boat.

When the anchor eye or the bight of the cable C reaches the bore 30, assuming the eye is turned so that it conforms with the axis of the opening between the flanges 31 and 32, further inward movement of the cable will cause the eye or the cable bight to engage the then downwardly facing periphery of the bore, tilting the plate for upward movement seating the eye between the flanges for securement of the anchor shank. As the anchor shank moves inwardly toward the plate, the fluke tips will strike the wings of the plate to slide thereover in a camming movement to lay the fluke flat on the plate as in Figure 1 and/ or the inner horn 43'will ride against the surface 24 to accomplish the same purpose.

However, if the eye is turned as the anchor approaches the grommet bore in a manner precluding entry of the eye between the flanges, one of the shoulders 39 will strike the outer edge 33 of the flange 31 and initiate rotation of the anchor toward proper orientation, which orientation, if not complete, may be eifected by the engagement of a fluke with the plate wings, as the plate is tilted toward the vertical.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a unique, eificient and efiective, remotely controllable safe, and relatively efiortless means for manipulating an anchor. The parts are few in number, simple in construction and assembly, and the operation is uncomplicated and direct. Self-alignment and automatic orientation are insured and power assistance for the anchor of a small craft is not required. Further the operator may remain in the cockpit, safe from the danger of being cast overboard, which danger is ever present in heavy seas, when the operator must mount the deck and lift the anchor directly.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

I claim: 7

1. An anchor davit, comprising a mounting base adapted to be attached to the deck of a boat, and a davit plate pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and for movement of the plate from an inboard positionoverlying said mounting base, to a limiting outboard position extending substantially horizontally away from the deck, said plate having an anchor cable guide in the free end thereof, and spaced flanges upstanding from said plate when in inboard position, said flanges having inner faces converging in respect to each other in the direction of said pivot, to receive a thickened end taper portion of an anchor shank therebetween to lock an anchor resting thereon against outboard movement.

2. An anchor davit, comprising a mounting base, adapted to be attached to the deck of a boat, and a davit plate pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and for movement of the plate from an inboard position overlying said mounting base, to a limiting outboard position extending substantially horizontally away from the deck, said plate having an anchor cable guide in the free end thereof, and spaced flanges upstanding from said plate when in .inboard position, said flanges having inner faces converging in respect to each other in the direction of said: pivot, to receive a thickened end taper portion .of an anchor'shank therebetween to lock an anchor resting thereon against outboard movement, and one of said flanges extending outwardly away from said pivot further than the other whereby to engage the flank of an anchor eye on weighing when said plate is in outboard position to rotate said anchor on the axis of its shank to initiate orientation thereof in respect to the plate.

3. An anchor comprising a shank, having a gradually tapering portion at one end enlarging and terminating in a cable attachment means of reduced width, and flukes at the other disposed on opposite sides of the shank, said tapering portion increasing in thickness in a direction at right angles to a plane of the shank lying substantially midway between the flukes, said shank gradually increasing in width toward the fluke end throughout the major part of its length, in a direction lying in said plane, said shank having increasing thickness toward both shank ends from an intermediate region of least thickness.

4. An anchor comprising a shank having a cable attachment eye at one end, and flukes at the other disposed on opposite sides of the shank, a portion of said shank adjacent the cable attachment end thereof having gradually increased thickness over a central portion thereof in a direction at right angles to a plane of the shank lying substantially midway between the flukes, said shank gradually increasing in width toward the fluke end throughout the major part of its length, in a direction lying in said plane, said shank having increasing thickness toward both shank ends from an intermediate region of least thickness.

5. In combination an anchor and davit, said anchor comprising a shank, having an enlarging tapering portion at one end terminating in an eye substantially wider than the shank, and flukes at the other, said tapering portion increasing in thickness in a direction parallel with the eye axis, a cable secured in said eye, said davit comprising a mounting base adapted to be attached to the deck of a boat, and a davit plate pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and for movement of the plate from an inboard position overlying said mounting base and adapted to support the anchor, to a limiting outboard position extending substantially horizontally away from the deck, said plate having an anchor cable guide in the free end thereof through which said cable extends, and spaced flanges to receive the anchor eye upstanding from said plate when in inboard position, said flanges having inner faces converging in respect to each other in the direction of said pivot, to receive and grip the taper portion of said shank therebetween to lock said anchor against outboard movement when resting on said plate in inboard position.

6. In combination an anchor and davit, said anchor comprising a shank, having an enlarging tapering portion at one end terminating in an eye substantially wider than the shank, and fiukes at the other, said tapering portion increasing in thickness in a direction parallel with the eye axis, a cable secured in said eye, said davit comprising a mounting base adapted to be attached to the deck. of a boat, and a davit plate pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and for movement of the plate from an inboard position overlying said mounting base and adapted to support the anchor, to a limiting outboard position extending substantiallyhorizontally away from the deck, said plate having an anchor cable aperture in the free end thereof through which said cable extends, and spaced flanges to receive the anchor eye upstanding from said plate when in inboard position, said flanges having inner faces converging in respect to each other in the direction of said pivot, to receive and grip the taper portion of said shank therebetween to lock said anchor against outboard movement when resting on said plate in inboard position, and one of said flanges extending outwardly away from said pivot further than the other whereby to engage the flank of the anchor eye on weighing when said plate is in outboard position, to rotate said anchor on the axis of its shank to initiate orientation thereof.

7. An anchor and davit, comprising a davit plate pivoted on a horizontal axis adjacent the edge of a craft for movement from an inboard position over the craft, to an outboard position extending away from the craft, said davit plate having spaced flanges on its free end, upstanding when in inboard position and diverging in the direction of the free end, an anchor lying on said plate when disposed in inboard position, said anchor having the eye end of its shank gradually enlarging and located between said flanges, and its flukes overlying the pivot end of said plate and supported thereby, said diverging flanges and enlarging shank coacting to locate said anchor when so disposed, to prevent and limit outboard movement thereof, relative to said plate, said flanges being adapted to release said anchor upon pivotal movement of said plate to an outboard extending position for easing of said anchor. t

8. An anchor and davit, comprising a davit plate pivoted on a horizontal axis adjacent the edge of a craft for movement from an inboard position over the craft, to an outboard position extending away from the craft,

said davit plate having spaced flanges on its free end, upstanding when 'in inboard position and" diverging in the direction of the free end, an anchor lying on said plate when disposed in inboard position, said anchor having the eye end of its shank gradually enlarging and located between said flanges, and its flukes overlying the pivot end of said plate and supported thereby, said diverging flanges and enlarging shank coacting to locate said anchor when so disposed, to prevent and limit outboard movement thereof, relative to said plate, said flanges being adapted to release said anchor upon pivotal movement of said plate to an outboard extending position for casting of said anchor, said anchor when disposed on said plate and located by said diverging plates and enlarging shank and said plate together having a center of gravity slightly inboard of said pivot, and a cable aperture in the end of said plate, and a cable extending upward through said aperture and connected to the eye end of said shank, whereby slight tilting of said plate by manipulation of said cable shifts said center of gravity to the other side of said pivot to cast the anchor.

9. An anchor davit-plate having an anchor supporting body portion, of generally T shape, and conforming to the shank and flukes of an anchor, said body portion having a pivot beneath the wide end, and a pair of diverging flanges extending upwardly from the narrow end, said flanges diverging in the direction away from the pivot end, whereby to receive and hold an enlarged anchor shank end portion against movement toward the pivot end when the flanged side of the body portion faces upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 531,315 Joyner Dec. 25, 1894 1,640,672 Schauman Aug. 30, 1927 2,496,315 Shipley Feb. 7, 1950 2,734,475 Fyock Feb. 14, 1956 

